Chicago is a Dreamer city and Trump-free zone

CHICAGO'S Mayor has declared the city a "Trump-free zone” following the US President's decision to end protection for the children of undocumented immigrants.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy was introduced by former president Barack Obama and prevented deportation of nearly 800,000 people who came to the US as children.

They are called dreamers because of the DREAM Act - the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.

Earlier this week Donald Trump rescinded the program. Existing recipients will see no impact for at least six months, but no new applications can be made.

In a speech to young DACA recipients at Chicago's Solorio Academy High School, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel said: "To all the Dreamers that are here in this room and the city of Chicago - you are welcome in the city of Chicago. This is your home.

"Chicago, our schools, our neighbourhoods, our city, as it relates to what President Trump said, will be a Trump-free zone.

"You have nothing to worry about. And I want you to know this, and I want your families to know this. And rest assured, I want you to come to school ... and pursue your dreams.”

DACA offers renewable protection from deportation for two years to people who entered the US before age 16, have lived in America continuously since 2007 and have no criminal record.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions called it an "open-ended circumvention of immigration laws” and unconstitutional use of executive authority. - INM